34. The Spanish agitated for Raleigh’s execution on the earlier warrant, for which he had been pardoned
With Raleigh imprisoned in the Tower, unable to present a defense against the charges against him, pressure on King James was brought to bear by Spanish ministers, with additional pressure demanded by the Spanish from the French and others present at court. Ironically, Raleigh’s earlier conviction had been for conspiring with – not against – Spain in an alleged attempt to change the succession of the English throne, an irony not lost on King James. Nonetheless Raleigh had been pardoned under pain of death should he violate the conditions prescribed, and though there was little evidence that he had personally, the expedition he had commanded had clearly done so.